[rickomatic]

I thought a news report indicated they were “model” homes for showing and to be sold later.

Correct. This development is just a couple miles from my home, and I pass it going to and coming home from work each day. The Street of Dreams program is a way for builders to showcase the latest and best building products and practices to the general public. Ironically, this particular development showcased "green" building practices, which is the rage lately in the Puget Sound region.
There was controversy before it started due to neighbor's concerns about being close to a "wetland". There were also suggestions, however unfounded, that some codes and procedures were skirted to expedite the project. Having dealt with the Snohomish County building department many times, I find it hard to believe that they'd bend the rules for anyone. It's a typical Western Washington beuracratic agency, staffed by many "lefties". I say this from having personal contact with them both during the building of my own house in this same area, and through my job in the building industry.

The sad thing is that the "Street of Dreams" program, which has been going on here for decades, raises a lot of money for charities through their model home tours. The idiots who did this terrorism have done far more damage to the environment than any of these builders could ever dream of doing.

[NavyCanDo]

“The idiots who did this terrorism have done far more damage to the environment than any of these builders could ever dream of doing.”

They said this morning that each house used on average 100,000 board feet of lumber. Now to replace the homes double that number, and double all the other energy cost it takes to build each home and wow did these fools add to their carbon footprint.